Fest of the Glen

By Kath Gannaway
FREE entry and loads of free activities and entertainment make the Yarra Glen Festival a truly family-friendly event.
The festival, incorporating the National Day of Thanksgiving, will be held again this year at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre with the aim of drawing all facets of the Yarra Glen and neighbouring communities together to celebrate all the great things which come under the umbrella of “community”.
No matter how stretched the budget is, there is plenty of opportunity for families, young people, older people and those who are somewhere in between to have a great afternoon of fun and entertainment.
Heartland Church has taken on the role of organising the festival, formerly part of the Melba Festival, and Pastor Mike Baimbridge said he is particularly looking forward to this year’s event at a time when so many people are still struggling with bushfire issues.
“It is a great opportunity for people to come together and have fun, and to acknowledge those who have given so much to our community,” he said.
Rev. Baimbridge said grants of $2000 each from the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance, as well as practical support from the shire’s festivals co-ordinator Karen Meuleman, had been instrumental in putting together an event with so much to offer.
Some of the activities locked in include circus and craft workshops, lots of music and dancing, farm animals, community exhibits and demonstrations, CFA and SES demonstrations, a footy handball competition, face painting, a jumping castle and great food and prizes.
Every person through the gate will get a ticket for the prize-draw and the chance to win a balloon ride for two, jointly donated by Global Ballooning and Heartland.
The festival runs from 1pm to 4.30pm on Saturday 30 May, with the Thanksgiving Ceremony and prize draws at 3pm.